Shannon seals it for Slashers

CurrentAccount.ie All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship

Longford Slashers 1-11

Charlestown 0-10

By Oisín McGovern

Kate Shannon popped up with 1-2 to help Longford Slashers through to their first ever currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Final after victory over Charlestown this afternoon.
Shannon’s all-important goal in the 39th minute made the difference in a game where Slashers had an plenty of goal opportunities.
Deirdre Doherty was magnificent once again for Charlestown, kicking all ten of her team’s scores. However, she was unable to stop Slashers from making history on home soil.
The hosts wasted no time in putting their foot down, with wing-back Orla Nevin blazing a shot narrowly over the bar after only 14 seconds.
Kate Shannon doubled their lead in the fifth minute before Charlestown got off the mark through a Doherty free.
Some dogged Slashers defending made life difficult for Charlestown, who struggled to make any headway up front.
The home side added further scores through a Grace Shannon free, Jessica Barry (two) before captain Aisling Cosgrave shot them four points in front.
In total, the hosts missed three goal chances and should have been out of reach by half-time.
Indeed, Slashers could have hit the net twice in a minute when Kara Shannon drew a save from Julia Gawalkiewicz after a big ball in from Jessica Barry.
A bad kick-out from Gawalkiewicz straight to Kyana Lee nearly ended up in the net when Aisling Cosgrave’s chip attempt bounced narrowly wide.
What should have been an eleven-point lead was narrowed back to two by Charlestown’s inspirational full-forward Doherty, who brought the curtain down on the first half with a massive point off her left boot.
The second half began brightly for Slashers, with Grace Shannon and Jessica Barry sharing three points.
Doherty had the scores back at three before Charlestown midfielder Katie Gavin saw yellow for a high challenge. Slashers punished her dismissal when Kate Shannon crashed in a goal a minute later to put the Longford champions six points up.
Despite losing Mayo panellist Ella Brennan to a yellow in the 50th minute, Charlestown were still able to edge their way back within four points. However, it simply wasn’t enough to stop a Longford Slashers side who now look forward to an All-Ireland final.

Scorers – Longford Slashers: Kate Shannon 1-2 (1f), J Barry 0-4 (3f), G Shannon 0-2, Kara Shannon, O Nevin, A Cosgrave 0-1 each
Charlestown: D Doherty 0-10 (6f).

LONGFORD SLASHERS: E Casey; L Kenny, E Reilly, G Kenny; O Nevin, E O’Brien, C Farrell; A O’Brien, A Cosgrove; L Nolan, G Shannon, K Lee; Kate Shannon, J Barry, Kara Shannon.

Subs: J Glennon for Lee (54), G O’Donnell for Farrell (62).

CHARLESTOWN: J Gawalkiewicz; C Murphy, L O’Donnell, H Johnson; E Brennan, N Meehan, E O’Donnell; K Gavin, C Durkan; S Mahon, C Doherty, N McGovern; K O’Donohue, D Doherty, J O’Donnell.

Subs: L O’Toole for Gavin (57), E Walsh for Murphy (57) M Casey of E O’Donnell (60).

Ref – Eddie Cuthbert (Down).